Background: Leishmania infantum infections are reported in foxhounds throughout the United States (US) and Canada, but only rarely in other dog breeds. A seroprevalence report from 2006 documented leishmaniosis in foxhounds (8.9%) tested in the US between 2000 and 2003. All other breeds were seronegative. Objective: To reexamine demographics and travel history of L. infantum-infected dogs in the US and Canada, we hypothesize detection of L. infantum in more foxhounds than nonfoxhounds and that infected nonfoxhounds will have traveled to endemic regions.

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Balloon dilation has been described infrequently as a treatment for benign urethral strictures in dogs but is often a first-line therapeutic option for humans. Additional evidence is needed to evaluate the potential role of this procedure in veterinary medicine. The aim of the study was to describe the techniques used and evaluate the response to balloon dilation of benign urethral strictures in dogs. Medical records were reviewed from eight client-owned dogs who underwent balloon dilation of a benign urethral stricture over a 13 yr period in this retrospective case series. Clinical signs improved for five of eight dogs after a single balloon dilation during a follow-up period of 1 wk to 3 yr. After a second procedure, an additional dog demonstrated improvement for 5.5 yr. Adverse outcomes included urinary incontinence in two dogs and recurrent bacteriuria in four dogs. Findings suggest that balloon dilation is an effective, minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of benign urethral strictures in dogs. Urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection, and stricture recurrence are potential outcomes for dogs undergoing this procedure either as a result of the nature of the underlying disease or as a result of the procedure.

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